Self-injury and suicide attempt among the elderly population in the city of S?￡o Paulo

摘要

Objective In this perspective, the present research aims to describe the reports of self-injury and suicide attempt among the elderly population living in the city of S?￡o Paulo. Methods This is a descriptive, quantitative approach based on Violence and Accidents Surveillance Information System (SIVVA) of the city of S?￡o Paulo. In the selection of notifications, it was included the ones related to self-injury and attempted suicide against men and women, with age group between 60 and over, from January to December 2014 in the city of S?￡o Paulo, Southeastern Region of Brazil. Results During 2014, 93 cases of self-injury and attempted suicide were reported among elderly people living in the city of S?￡o Paulo. The main instruments used by the elderly population in the analyzed period were poisoning (41.9%), other means (34.4%), cold weapon (15.1%), high precipitation places (4.3%), hanging or suffocation (3.2%), and firearm (1.1%). Conclusion From the results of this study it was possible to characterize some specific aspects related to self-injury and suicide attempt among elderly in the evaluated population. Therefore, developing a strategy to promote effective prevention actions and offer specialized services to most risk groups (brown races, people with lower levels of education, and males).